Officers will be in Bexleyheath Library today raising awareness of hate crimes

Bexley police officers will be holding a stall in Bexleyheath Library today, May 17, speaking to residents about the world’s largest anti-homophobia and anti-transphobia day.

The Metropolitan police will be supporting the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), with hopes of raising awareness in tackling hate crime.

IDAHOT is celebrated in over 130 countries worldwide where people come together to celebrate gender and sexual diversity and raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LBGTI) rights. IDAHOT 2017 will address this year’s theme of families.

Commander Mak Chishty, the Met’s lead on hate crime, said: “The Met is proud to once again be supporting IDAHOT day. We are aware that hate crime is under reported and hope during this year’s IDAHOT day we can raise awareness of our commitment to help victims of hate crime.

“We are always seeking ways to increase reporting and work with a number of third party reporting sites, so that victims who would otherwise feel unable to approach police direct can report crime to non-police organisations and individuals.”

Detective chief inspector Sam Faulkner, from the safeguarding unit, said: “IDAHOT is an opportunity for the Met to continue raising awareness of hate crime and encourage victims to come forward. However, we know that all hate crime is under-reported which is why we will continue to work hard to gain the trust and confidence of all communities so that victims feel that they can come forward.

“Our message to all victims is, don’t suffer in silence.”

Bexley LGBT officers will be at Bexleyheath Library from 10am until 2pm today.